Zinc is the single most important trace element for bodybuilders, since it is directly involved in tissue growth and repair and testosterone synthesis, as well as in immune integrity. Zinc-deficient animals and humans have low testosterone, which is brought up to normal when zinc is given.

The typical American diet has much of its zinc refined-out, and athletes often suffer from marginal zinc nutrition. Training itself depletes zinc, and hard training (such as weightlifting) increases zinc requirements. Muscle growth and repair requires lots of protein and zinc. Inadequate zinc can impair workout performance and recovery, and depress immunity.

Multivitamin-mineral products seldom have enough zinc to correct a deficiency. And absorption-inhibitors in the diet can interfere with even high-dose zinc. However, there is one form of zinc that blows the others away. ZMA® is a patent-pending blend of zinc monomethionine/asparate with magnesium asparate which has been proven to significantly increase blood levels of free testosterone (the best kind) and muscle strength. Its effects have been proven in competitive NCAA football players, who had 250% greater muscle strength gains on ZMA® than on placebo. The ZMA® group's strength increases were 11.6% compared to 4.6% in the placebo group -- an amazing difference. The ZMA® group also had increases of 30% in free and total testosterone levels, compared to 10% decreases in the placebo group. The ZMA® group also had a slight increase in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), compared to a 20% decrease in the placebo group. ZMA® not only enhances anabolic action, but it may be one of the keys to preventing overtraining-induced catabolism.

Zinc -- any zinc -- is critical for the bodybuilder, to maintain high serum testosterone levels and support muscle growth. But ZMA® is uniquely effective.

For the athlete, zinc also has other valuable roles: as an immune booster, as an antioxidant, and to prevent fatigue. Zinc-deficient people get colds and infections easily, and they last for a long time. Hard physical training puts an oxidative stress on the body, such that the antioxidant effects of zinc are more critical than ever. And zinc-depleted people (and athletes) quickly get tired. ZMA® is excellent insurance against these problems. X